How do you break the addiction to fast food?

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Replies

  • zoraiya
    zoraiya Posts: 38 Member
    Simple, dont eat it.

    This. I thought I was going to have trouble giving up fast food -- but over a month here on MFP and I still haven't had any. I quit FF like I quit smoking -- cold turkey, and I haven't looked back.

    I'm sorry it is tough for you, though -- I hope you find something that works for you! :)
  • EatClean_WashUrNuts
    EatClean_WashUrNuts Posts: 1,590 Member
    You CHOOSE to not eat it.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    First, recognize that calling it an addiction is a cop-out. Second, recognize that there's nothing wrong with eating fast food every now and then. Third. I just saved you hundreds of dollars in therapy. You can thank me later.
  • blissfulbutt
    blissfulbutt Posts: 33
    I actually wrote this and posted it on another site just this morning but re-posted it to my blog here....
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/blissfulbutt/view/fast-quick-food-467304
  • Jessruns
    Jessruns Posts: 25
    First, recognize that calling it an addiction is a cop-out. Second, recognize that there's nothing wrong with eating fast food every now and then. Third. I just saved you hundreds of dollars in therapy. You can thank me later.

    Hey, I can see that referring to my habit as an addiction is definitely offending a few people which was certainly not my intention. Trying to change the name of my topic.
  • Roxieluv
    Roxieluv Posts: 8
    The first thing is looking at what is in the food. Like see pictures and really look at how it is prepped - if you can stomach a lot of it after that then start comparing it nutritionally to other food - like straight compare veggie burgers to a McD's cheese burger - see what is in one and the other and what their value is. Also, give yourself like a month of not eating it - and then when you go back see what your body reacts like...I ate some cinema popcorn recently after not eating any processed food for a month and had a hangover the next day...

    Love This! We haven't had a big problem with fast food being that we live on a Native American Reservation, however when we do "indulge" I get sick. I think living in a world where we want everything now and instant gratification, we have gotten lazy with cooking at home. Prepacking meals and snacks to go helps with the kiddo, never to old for a ziplock!!
  • DanTillson
    DanTillson Posts: 71 Member
    I watched Super Size me. That movie broke my habit.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axxpb7TJ7cQ

    Supersize me reply where a guy loses body fat % and lowers cholesterol whilst on a McDonalds only diet, oh and his 46 and has a 6 pack. I enjoyed watching Supersize me but then I checked my facts out...

    Why do people jump to blame fast food every time? Show me a study that shows how on a macro/calorie controlled diet it can't fit it. Now I am not suggesting that you just eat it or that it will providing every micro nutrient or that most of the food is macro friendly but why cut out something you enjoy that much?

    And here is a fair (not perfect albeit) study showing the affects on the body from occasional 'awful' fast food, specifically a Big Mac meal actually had pretty much fa effect on the body vs a beef/turkey organic meal.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/hormonal-responses-to-a-fast-food-meal-compared-with-nutritionally-comparable-meals-of-different-composition-research-review.html
  • alevett
    alevett Posts: 79 Member
    My family and I limit it to once a week (usually Sat or Sun) as a treat. We used to eat it 2-3 times a week (alternate burgers, pizza, subs, fish (take-out fish), chinese food, etc.) and you eventually get sick of it. I don't want to cut it out all together because it is convenient when we are out during a meal time. Just limit yourself the best you can.
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    First, recognize that calling it an addiction is a cop-out. Second, recognize that there's nothing wrong with eating fast food every now and then. Third. I just saved you hundreds of dollars in therapy. You can thank me later.

    Hey, I can see that referring to my habit as an addiction is definitely offending a few people which was certainly not my intention. Changing the name of my post.

    ^I like this. If you're really having trouble saying no to fast food then stop trying to say no completely. Work instead on fitting it inside your calorie and macro limitations and move on. I see threads here all the time focusing on this particular food, or this particular macro and blaming it for weight gain. The reality is that most people can lose weight simply based on a calorie deficit. I eat pizza, ice cream, hamburgers and drink beer and yet, miraculously I've lost my weight, am in pretty good shape and am currently on my first real bulk. I don't binge on that stuff though but it does make up a portion of my diet.

    Stop beating yourself up and live within the fewest limitations that will get you to your goal!
  • lachesissss
    lachesissss Posts: 1,298 Member
    Honestly, when I saw the amount of calories in the food I was eating, and I realized how much more food I could eat for the same amount of calories sparked me to change. Also, to wean myself off I researched foods that I could eat within my calorie budget, and only ate those foods when I wanted fast food, and then as I saw how expensive it was, it helped me wean myself off fast food. That being said I still frequent places like Subway, Saladworks and Chipotle, which some people debate if they are healthier or not, but I feel better about eating there as opposed to McDonald's, Taco Bell and Arbys.
  • 14kat
    14kat Posts: 5
    I left all $$$ at home to avoid temptation while I was out!
    Good luck
  • WickedGarden
    WickedGarden Posts: 944 Member
    I cut out HFCs from my diet, including sodas.

    Started eating clean, and making burgers at home, when I compared the burgers from home to the ones from McD's, the difference was amazing.

    I still eat at McD's when I truly don't have time, but I can taste all the preservatives and chemicals and it grosses me out. My digestive system also tells me it isn't happy, believe me, when you stop eating all those preservatives and chemicals, you will wonder why you ate so much of that stuff in the first place.
  • redladywitch
    redladywitch Posts: 799 Member
    My husband and I got a real eye opener when went on a budget. I figured out how much we were spending on going out for food, at the grocery stores, and at the Farmers Market for three months straight. We were shocked.

    Now I spend about one quarter of that total, cook from scratch, and we all actually feel better. Maybe once every two months, we will go out for food.

    We are eating so much better now and it's a huge savings on our food bill.
  • msbunnie68
    msbunnie68 Posts: 1,894 Member
    Point your car straight ahead and don't go there.

    Just don't buy it if it doesn't fit your day.

    Voldemort has not cast a junk food compulsion spell on you - just don't buy it.

    (for me, it also helped when my teen daughter got a part time job at one of the fast food chains...and you fully realize that the burgers are made by 15-16 year old teen boys for whom showering is optional...)
  • jkmiller82
    jkmiller82 Posts: 214 Member
    When I first started MFP I wasn't ready to stop my fast food addiction, but in order to stay in my calorie goal I had to really pre-plan my fast food meals. That is where you should think about starting. My breakfast was oatmeal from McD's. lunch was chili and a side salad from Wendy's. Dinner was an al fresco burrito and a side of refried beans from Taco Bell. This was all in my calorie range. Then, once you realize how much money you're spending and the crazy level of sodium in all the foods, you should naturally start to want to cook at home. Go to the grocery store every week, buy a few things that can be made in a hurry (frozen veggies, pre-mixed salads, etc.) for when you're super duper hungry and the fast food lane will become a distant stranger.
  • sarahmonsta
    sarahmonsta Posts: 185 Member
    I wasn't really hip on much fast food in the first place, but all I can say for anything is moderation. =]
  • Jessruns
    Jessruns Posts: 25
    Point your car straight ahead and don't go there.

    Just don't buy it if it doesn't fit your day.

    Voldemort has not cast a junk food compulsion spell on you - just don't buy it.

    (for me, it also helped when my teen daughter got a part time job at one of the fast food chains...and you fully realize that the burgers are made by 15-16 year old teen boys for whom showering is optional...)

    Hahaha that is an excellent (and hilarious) point.
  • Corkline
    Corkline Posts: 107
    It looks like you're craving the taste, so I also advocate for meal planning and cook from home... Then take it with you. Pepper Plate is my preferred meal planning app. Skinnytaste.com is a good place to start.

    Change the habits around you going to get fast food too...I literally rerouted my drive to work to avoid Starbucks for a month.

    And,once you cleanse your cravings, you can reprogram your palate!

    Luck.
  • miriameam
    miriameam Posts: 7 Member
    I used to eat fast food during the weekday because I honestly coulnd't image what else to eat. It was so delicious and convinient. I lived like this for about 3-4 years until I had to have a serious sit down with myself and set two goals:

    1. Money: Mentally set aside $5 every day. I had the option of using it on eating out or it went into a "Ipad" account at my bank. Every Friday, I could transfer $5- $25 to this little secondary savings based on my savings. My goal was to buy myself an Ipad, but you can use it for anything.

    2. Making lunch: whew! this was the difficult part. I made a little calendar for myself
    Monday: Sunday dinner left overs
    Tuesday: Sandwich. PB& J was the most common one.
    Wednesday: Tuesday night left overs
    Thursday: beans and rice (a staple in my home- i just use brown rice and pinto peans. top with cheddar, tomato or salsa, olives, and avocado if i have it. Eat it with tortilla chips)
    Friday: Thursday left overs

    But with both goals it took baby steps. First, I stoped buying soda pop to go with my meals. It would save me like $1.5 per day and about 150 calories too! Then I wouldn't get sides. Just buy a hamburger,no fries because i had chips at work or just the teriyaki bowl, not the double entree with an eggroll.

    With all this, its not to say I won't eat out. I still get Chipotle when everyone at work orders and get In n Out when I having an awesome day cause I worked out in the morning. I just only do this once or twice a month instead of everyday.

    Hope this gives you some ideas.
  • picthat01
    picthat01 Posts: 2 Member
    For about 2-3 weeks eat just fruits and vegetables, as much as you want, anytime you want. You will find that you feel great and the craving for sweets will diminish. Also, you will lose weight at the same time. It worked for me and I no longer crave sweets. I've also lost 20 pounds and have learned to crave the fruits and veggies. Just a suggestion.

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